Could you explain the definition of "offsides" to a parent new to soccer? We’re sure that you wouldn’t be surprised to learn that most parents couldn’t! Did you know that players can be offsides and no whistle is blown to stop play? There is actually more than one scenario where this is perfectly acceptable.

Offsides is one of the most confusing rules in a game that doesn’t have too many: one ball, two teams, keep the ball within the boundary lines and kick it in the other team’s goal. Simple!

If you’d like to learn more, FIFA provides various options: click here to visit a low-resolution graphical explanation that demonstrates all of the situations defined under the offsides rule (click ">" again and again to view each scenario) or, if you prefer a bit more high-resolution version, click here.

Here are the textual definitions:

Play should be stopped when: 1) a player is determined to be in an offsides position; and 2) that player participates in active play.

Offsides Position

It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. A player is in an offside position if:

• he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent.

A player is not in an offside position if

• he is in his own half of the field of play or
• he is level with the second last opponent or
• he is level with the last two opponents.

Offense

A player in an offside position is only penalized if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:

• interfering with play or
• interfering with an opponent or
• gaining an advantage by being in that position.

No Offense

There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:

• a goal kick or
• a throw-in or
• a corner kick.

Infringements / Sanctions

For any offside offence, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

Decisions of the International F.A. Board

Decision 1
In the definition of offside position, "nearer to his opponents’ goal line" means that any part of his head, body or feet is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent. The arms are not included in this definition.The definitions of elements of involvement in active play are as follows:

Decision 2

• Interfering with play means playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a teammate.
• Interfering with an opponent means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or movements or making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an opponent.
• Gaining an advantage by being in that position means playing a ball that rebounds to him off a post or the crossbar having been in an offside position or playing a ball that rebounds to him off an opponent having been in an offside position.